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‘Mad man’ shoots marbles at speed camera

Posted at 7:22 AM, Jun 29, 2012
and last updated 2012-06-29 07:24:01-04

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJLA) – Speed cameras can mean big bucks for cities with a lot of speeders. But in Maryland, one such camera has earned scorn from at least one driver.
After being busted twice, Bruce May fought back, and it landed him in hot water.

The 50-year-old man did not have a good day. He told WJLA-TV he started his day with an argument with a store clerk. Then he showed up late to work. In the last few weeks, May said he’s gotten two speed camera tickets at the same spot. Those tickets cost him $40 a pop. He was driving 52 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone. So when he saw the same camera at the same spot, he said it put him over the edge.

“It feels like a money grab to me,” May said. “I was just in one of those moods, and I just flipped out.”

Police said the speed camera operator heard something hit the side of the van.Moments later, he said he saw May drive by again, armed with a sling shot.

Investigators said May shot marbles at the camera. He said police positioned the camera in a sneaky manner, on a hilly road where drivers can't control their speeds. Police said the marble attack did not cause significant damage to the camera.

May is out on bond, but he facing charges of second-degree assault, destruction of property and reckless endangerment.

What has May learned from his arrest?

"Keep your cool, and everybody slow down until they find some way to make it fair," said May.